Heart Failure-copy

Understanding Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a chronic condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. It does not mean that the heart has stopped working but rather that it is weaker and less efficient.

There are several factors that can lead to heart failure, including:

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Over time, increased pressure can strain the heart.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Blockages in the heart arteries reduce blood supply to the heart muscle.

Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)

Can weaken the heart muscle and reduce pumping ability.

Valvular Heart Disease

Faulty valves can make the heart work harder.

Cardiomyopathy

A disease affecting the heart muscle directly.

Diabetes, Obesity, and Chronic Kidney Disease

These conditions increase the risk of heart failure.

Symptoms of Heart Failure

Common symptoms include:

Shortness of breath (especially when lying down or during exercise)

Fatigue and weakness

Swelling in legs, ankles, and feet

Rapid or irregular heartbeat

Persistent cough or wheezing

Sudden weight gain from fluid retention

Diagnosis of Heart Failure

Doctors use several tests to diagnose heart failure:

Echocardiogram:

Assesses heart function and ejection fraction.

Electrocardiogram (ECG):

Checks for abnormal heart rhythms.

Chest X-ray:

Identifies fluid buildup in the lungs.

Blood tests (e.g., BNP/NT-proBNP):

Helps confirm diagnosis.

Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and improve heart function:

1. Medications:

ACE inhibitors or ARBs:

Help lower blood pressure and reduce heart strain.

Beta-blockers:

Improve heart function and prevent worsening.

Diuretics:

Reduce fluid buildup and swelling.

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists:

Help control symptoms and prevent worsening.

2. Lifestyle Changes:

Reduce salt intake to prevent fluid retention.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Exercise regularly under medical supervision.
Avoid smoking and limit alcohol

3. Medical Procedures and Devices:

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD):

Prevents sudden cardiac death.

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT):

Helps the heart beat more efficiently.

Heart transplantation (for severe cases).

Conclusion

Heart failure is a serious but manageable condition. Proper treatment, lifestyle adjustments, and adherence to medical guidance can significantly improve quality of life.

Information resources recommended

1. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Chronic Stable Angina

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001063

https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2023.12.024

https://www.acc.org/education-and-meetings/products-and-resources/features/global-cv-institute/heart-failure-guidelines

https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/-/media/832EA0F4E73948848612F228F7FA2D35.ashx

https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2022/03/29/19/53/2022-AHA-ACC-HFSA-Heart-Failure-Guideline-gl-hf

2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on the Management of Acute Coronary Syndromes

https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Acute-and-Chronic-Heart-Failure

https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/36/3599/6358045

https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Focused-Update-on-Heart-Failure-Guidelines

https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/44/37/3627/7246292

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34447992/

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